​Last week the 'Rundschau' – the political news magazine of the SRF – went on air with a new set design. The programme wants to give a clear and complete overview of Swiss politics, achieved by extensive research and analysis. The briefing for the new set design was to create a stage that is up to date and does justice to the new requirements regarding content and form.

Until now, the appearance of the 'rundschau' was focused on the "hot seat". Guests were seated in a very exposed position to be cross-examined. The introductions were very static and usually took place in the same position. With the relaunch, the "chair" in this form will be dispensed with. What is new is that the confrontation with responsible players and decision-makers now takes place at eye level. The art direction of the SRF therefore had the idea to create a lighthouse of Swiss politics. With a style similar to the inside of a lighthouse architecture, the new decor enhances the impression that the Rundschau is looking upon the political world and its happenings from the center of Switzerland.

In addition to the well-known 'Rundschau' logo that is also incuded in the table body and the wall design, the motif of Justitia of the Bernese Justice fountain is used as key visual. The complex three-dimensional wall elements of the 'Rundschau' logo were a constructional challenge during the implementation. The decor was made from over 800 individual parts. "What looks like massive expensive real wood, arose from about 800 40mm thick plywood sheets. We have never made a decorative element in this manner before," says Ueli Schaub, Project Manager Facilities at SRF.

In addition, the show now also uses augmented reality, so that the introduction is understandable, well designed and attractive. The moderation is prerecorded and the 3D graphics are inserted in post-production. From briefing to original air date, overall, the design team has been working for nine months on this project. Severine Waibel, Art Direction Information SRF, says about the new set design: "Literally a round thing! Exemplary interaction of creation, directing, editing and production!"

​

On 1 August 2013 SPORT1 went on air with its new channel SPORT1 U.S. under the motto "Sports, Stars and Stripes".

This means another step towards the expansion of SPORT1's future U.S. sports coverage on pay-TV: From ESPN Sports Media, the company was awarded the contract for a comprehensive rights package. In addition, the Sport1 GmbH acquired the rights to additional live matches from the National Football League – NFL over the existing agreement. SPORT1 also agreed upon an additional rights package with the National Basketball Association – NBA, with three instead of two live games per week. Bernhard Burgener, CEO of Constantin Medien AG: "With SPORT1 U.S., we extend the digital portfolio under the multimedia umbrella brand SPORT1 to another offer in the pay-TV sector – in addition to our already well-established channel SPORT1 +. The number of U.S. sports enthusiasts is very large in German-speaking areas – we intend to fulfill their demand with SPORT1 U.S. with a wide range of high class American sports."

The new pay-TV channel for U.S. sports in Germany, Austria and Switzerland will be offered in both SD and HD. SPORT1 U.S. is distributed over the platforms of Kabel Deutschland, Sky Germany and Kabel BW and Unitymedia.

​

Until 11 november 2013 the exhibition 'Psychedelic Rock – Rock Posters from San francisco 1966-1969' can be seen in the display windows of the Swiss National Bank in Zurich.

In the awakening years from 1960 onwards, the American music developed into an experimental art form in San Francisco. The texts of contemporary bands expressed the desire for pure spirituality, their music wanted to "reveal the soul": the psychedelic music was born. At the Avalon Ballroom and the Fillmore Auditorium performed among others The Grateful Dead, The Mothers of Invention, The Doors, Janis Joplin, The Rolling Stones, Santana, The Who, Pink Floyd and The Byrds. Wes Wilson and Victor Moscoso were among the designers who sustainably shaped the visual appearance of rock bands with their posters. These were characterized by kaleidoscopic flowing shapes, bright colors and heavily ornamented fonts. Stylistically, the psychedelic posters were also strongly based on the European Art Nouveau. Asymmetrical compositions, surface ornamented rooms as well as playing with the figure-ground effect were formal elements that were adopted. Towards the end of the 1960s, psychedelic posters became victims of their own success. Commerciallypicked up, their quality deteriorated significantly.

A selection of these rock posters can be seen until 11 November 2013 in the windows of the Swiss National Bank, Fraumünsterstrasse / Stadthausquai, Zurich. An illustrated brochure on the exhibition and brochures of the collection can be obtained at the porter's lodge, Fraumünsterstrasse 8. Further information at www.museum-gestaltung.ch

​

Recently the 2nd edition of the book 'Why the brain loves stories: Using findings of neuroscience for target group-oriented marketing' was published.

The author, Dr. Werner Fuchs, who among other things was a speaker at this year's Eyes & Ears Conference, explains in his publication which stories are liable to catch on, which not and why. Stories that shaped our childhood or youth, call forth very special emotions – for example, the memory of the first toy car, of the Sunday outings with the family or of the first kiss. In marketing, this means: find the history of your target audience – and write yourself in their heart. In his book, Dr. Fuchs examines the relationship between brain research and storytelling. He explains what makes a good story and offers a toolbox to find the perfect story for the audience.

New to the 2nd Edition is that storytelling in social media and sale processes are also addressed. The 391-page book was published in the Haufe Verlag and can be purchased for 34,95 euros. Further information at http://shop.haufe.de